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Meet the lesbian who heckled Michelle Obama

Sturtz disrupts fundraiser, seeks ‘full federal equality’

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Ellen Sturtz, GetEqual, gay news, Washington Blade
Ellen Sturtz, GetEqual, gay news, Washington Blade

Ellen Sturtz heckled Michelle Obama at a DNC fundraiser. (Washington Blade file photo from a previous protest by Michael Key)

A lesbian activist had a testy exchange with first lady Michelle Obama at a fundraiser on Tuesday evening over a much sought-after LGBT non-discrimination executive order, leading to the ejection of the activist from the event.

Ellen Sturtz, a 56-year-old D.C.-based activist affiliated with the grassroots LGBT group GetEQUAL, had the exchange with the first lady ā€”Ā which involved not just the executive order, but the Employment Non-Discrimination Act ā€”Ā at a Democratic National Committee fundraising event in D.C.

“I think she was upset by the interruption, no doubt,” Sturtz said. “But I really didn’t feel like there was a lot of anger or felt like I was in danger at all. Even though she was pretty ā€” I would like to say assertive ā€” but obviously it was pretty aggressive.”

According to Sturtz, the exchange began when Michelle Obama began talking about children without delving too much into LGBT issues beforehand.Ā Sturtz said she shouted out to the first lady something about the importance of LGBT children, and Michelle Obama wasn’t happy.

“She cut me off immediately and leaned over podium, sort of her put her big hand towards me and said something to the effect of ‘You don’t do that to me’ or ‘I don’t do that,'” Sturtz said. “Then I made a comment that I’m interested in making sure that we have employment protections, and I’m not going to be quiet any longer.”

Sturtz said things became even more testy as Michelle Obama left the podium to talk to the activist face to face.

“She came down from the podium and got into my face ā€” probably within three inches of my face,” Sturtz said. “She basically took the microphone down, and she said to me, ‘I don’t do this, and if you want the microphone, it’s either I have the microphone or you have the microphone. I said, ‘I’ll take the microphone.’ And she said, ‘If you take the microphone, then I’m leaving.'”

At that point, the crowd called for the first lady to stay and expressed its disapproval of Sturtz as she was kicked out, but not before she concluded that she wants President Obama to sign the non-discimination executive order for federal contractors.

“When I left, I made some comments as they were kicking me out about a being an old abrasive lesbian just looking for full federal equality,” Sturtz said. “And I think I may have said something like, ‘Is there anything wrong with that?’ as I’m sort of escorted out.'”

Sturtz’s account is consistent with what The Huffington Post’s Amanda Terkel reported happened during the event in her pool report for the fundraiser:

“One of the things I don’t do well is this,” replied FLOTUS to loud applause. She left the lectern and moved over to the protester, saying they could “listen to me or you can take the mic, but I’m leaving. You all decide. You have one choice.”

Crowd started shouting that they wanted FLOTUS to stay.

“You need to go!” said one woman near the protester.

The protester was then escorted out, shouting “…lesbian looking for federal equality before I die.” (First part of the quote was inaudible.)Ā PoolĀ could not get their name before they were taken out.

The crowd was generally favorable to the first lady. According to a transcript of the first lady’s remarks, Michelle Obama was greeted by someone shouting, ‘We love you!’ at the start of the event and concluded her remarks with applause.

Sturtz, who’s also affiliated with the anti-war group Code Pink, said she’s seeking “full federal equality” and moved to D.C. in December to help make the case after having lived in California since 1986.

“I know it’s probably unrealistic and whatever people think ā€” whether you can get ENDA passed this year or next year, or we have until 2015 ā€” I don’t want to wait anymore,” Sturtz said. “I have the been the nice lesbian; I’m not nice anymore. I’m nice, but I don’t want to be quiet any longer. I don’t want to listen to the non-profit organizations telling me what the timeframe is ā€” how many decades I’m going to have to wait for full federal equality.”

Sturtz paid the ticket price of $500 to attend the event held in Northwest D.C. at the home of lesbian couple Karen Dixon and Nan Schaffer ā€”Ā with the intent of talking with someone at the DNC about the executive order.Ā Sturtz said she donated to the Democratic Party in the previous election cycle.

“They cashed my check … they were asking for more money today,” Sturtz said. “We’re just asking them to do something that’s really simple, and I don’t think we’re really getting many answers about why they’re not willing to do it.”

The DNC and the White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on the exchange. The Office of the First Lady didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment late Tuesday evening.

Just hours before the fundraiser, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney was questioned about the executive order, but reiterated the line that the administrative prefers a legislative path to addressing LGBT workplace discrimination.

“The president believes that the right approach to this problem is an inclusive piece of legislation, and thatā€™s the approach that we’re taking,” Carney said. “It was the approach that we took with repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ and we continue to support this effort.”

Prior to her ejection, Sturtz said she had a conversation with Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz about ENDA and the executive order. According to Sturtz, the Florida congresswoman expressed interest in the directive and was surprised by estimates it would cover 22 percent of the workforce.

“Obviously, she was very supportive, and obviously, like everyone, there’s a lot of frustration about what’s happening in the House,”Ā Sturtz said. “But she understood the strategy of getting the executive order to help fuel the effort of getting it passed in the House.”

Two other GetEQUAL members, college students, were also present at the event along with activist Autumn Leaf, of Columbus, Ohio, who told the Blade she interrupted Wasserman Schultz’s remarks delivered at the same fundraiser.

“I felt very frustrated with the rosy picture of what was done for the LGBT community, especially when the executive order is something that literally requires the effort signing a piece of paper,” Leaf said. “I called her out, ‘What about the executive order that President Obama promised back in 2008 as a candidate, and she looked over and just glared.”

Leaf said Wasserman Schultz told the audience ENDA would be passed, but only with Democratic control of the U.S. House and urged those in attendance to max out their donations.

According to Leaf ā€” who said she wasn’t ejected from the event, but was watched closely by a Secret Service agent ā€” no arrests were made at the fundraiser as a result of the interruptions.

Sturtz emphasized that her action wasn’t about herself, but ENDA, the executive order and equality.

Heather Cronk, co-director of GetEQUAL, said more protests similar to what happened at the fundraiser will continue if the executive order is withheld.

“We’ll keep speaking up and speaking out until we’re equal ā€” and we hope the president and the first lady have a long conversation tonight,” Cronk said.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of article incorrectly identified the day on which the event took place and activist Autumn Leaf as someone else. The Blade regrets the error.

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Politics

Kamala Harris addresses country after Trump victory

Vice president spoke after she conceded to incoming president

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Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at Howard University on Wednesday, Nov. 6. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Vice President Kamala Harris addressed a large crowd of supporters Wednesday afternoon, following her loss to former President Donald Trump.

She began her remarks by reaffirming her commitment to honoring the outcome of the election and the peaceful transfer of power.

“I do not concede the fight that fuels this campaign,” she said. “The fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people, a fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation, the ideals that reflect America at all best.”

Harris urged her supporters, many of them emotional, not to despair ā€” echoing remarks she has made in the past about the need to keep up the fight for justice.

“Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. That doesn’t mean we won’t win. The important thing is, don’t ever give up. Don’t ever give up. Don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place.”

More specifically, she said, “This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize and stay engaged for the sake of freedom.”

“I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time,” Harris said, “but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case.”

“But here’s the thing, America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars. The light, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service. And may that work guide us, even in the face of setbacks, toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America.”

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A message from organizations committed to advancing LGBTQ freedom beyond the 2024 elections

ā€˜Ours is a long history of never backing down from a fight for our rightsā€™

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(Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Leaders of more than 80 LGBTQ organizations from around the country released the following joint statement to the Washington Blade on Wednesday:

Our LGBTQIA2S+ community has risen again and again to meet moments that have challenged our rights, our humanity, and our freedom. Today is no different.

Ours is a long history of never backing down from a fight for our rights. United in our strength, during the most difficult of times, we have pushed forward and achieved significant progress across the decades. From the early days of the Mattachine Society and Daughters of Bilitis, to the Stonewall Uprising and HIV/AIDS activism, to achieving marriage equality and anti-discrimination protections in the workplace, to the fight for transgender rights, and beyond, we march on.

For every member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and for those who support us: Weā€™ve got this. Weā€™ve got us. No matter who you are, where you live, or the outcome of yesterdayā€™s election, today we are an LGBTQIA2S+ community united. Together, across races, places, genders, and abilities, we have shown up for each other by organizing, mobilizing, and casting our ballots for the freedom to be ourselves. Our work continues.

Election outcomes at national, state, and local levels will impact our health, our safety, and our rights as LGBTQIA2S+ people and families. Despite anti-LGBTQIA2S+ efforts to divide our communities, and particularly severe attacks against transgender people and LGBTQIA2S+ youth, we have succeeded in moving a few steps closer toward equity and justice for our community. In particular, we celebrate the election of the first openly transgender person to U.S. Congress, Rep. Sarah McBride (Del.), as well as out lawmakers U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson (Texas), and state Rep. Wick Thomas (Mo.), and cementing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in California, Colorado, and Hawaii.

Across the country, LGBTQIA2S+ organizations and advocates engaged and educated voters, made calls, sent texts, and knocked on doors to ensure every voter had the information necessary to cast a ballot. Every single conversation reflected our commitment to vote for our families, our freedoms, and our futures.

We know that so much more work lies ahead of us. Yet as an LGBTQIA2S+ movement, we will continue to work towards what we always have: a country where all LGBTQIA2S+ people are safe, seen, and accepted for who we truly are, without exception. We are here together, and we will move forward. Weā€™ve got this. Weā€™ve got us.

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Advocates for Trans Equality

Basic Rights Oregon

CenterLink: The Community of LGBTQ Centers

Equality Federation

Equality Arizona

Equality California

Equality Delaware

Equality Florida

Equality Michigan 

Equality New Mexico

Fair Wisconsin

Fairness Campaign

Fairness West Virginia

Family Equality

Garden State Equality

Gender Justice

Georgia Equality

GLAAD

Human Rights Campaign

Lambda Legal

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund

LGBTQ+ Victory Institute

Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition

Movement Advancement Project

National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund

NBJC

North Dakota Human Rights Coalition

One Colorado

OutFront Minnesota 

OutNebraska

PFLAG National

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PFLAG Athens, TN

PFLAG Blairsville 

PFLAG Bowie

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PFLAG Cape Girardeau 

PFLAG Carson Region

PFLAG Charlotte

PFLAG Clayton-Concord

PFLAG Corydon-Leavenworth

PFLAG Danville – San Ramon Valley 

PFLAG Danville / Central Susquehanna Valley

PFLAG Denver

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PFLAG Greater Boston

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PFLAG Nazareth/Lehigh Valley

PFLAG of Door County

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PFLAG Salisbury Rowan

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PFLAG Socorro

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PFLAG Waukesha

Queer Vox

SAGE

Silver State Equality

Tennessee Equality Project

The Trevor Project

Transformation Project

Transgender Law Center

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Aime Wichtendahl becomes Iowa’s first trans legislator

“I am honored to make history tonight.”

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transgender, Gender Conference East, trans, transgender flag, gay news, Washington Blade
Photo of the transgender flag at the 2013 Capital Pride Parade (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

Aime Wichtendahl first made history as the first openly trans woman to be elected to government in the state of Iowa when elected to the Hiawatha City Council. She made history again this Election Day, becoming Iowaā€™s first trans legislator.

Wichtendahl kept the seat blue by beating Republican opponent John Thompson 52 to 48. She will succeed Art Staed (D), who ran successfully for a state Senate seat, with unanimous support from the Democratic base.

Wichtendahl summed up her platform on a social media post days before the election as:

  • Repeal the abortion ban 
  • Legalize marijuana 
  • Invest in public education 
  • Support unions 
  • Defend civil rights

“I am honored to make history tonight,ā€ Wichtendahl said in a statement to The Gazette, ā€It shows that Iowans and Americans at large are tired of the culture war politics and anti-trans legislation and will vote for leaders who prioritize their well being and work for them to get ahead.ā€

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